IS YOUR READY?

ARE YOU READY?

What’s the Grand Prize? Three lucky winners will get the opportunity to go to Los Angeles and pitch their script to a group of Agents and Managers. Pretty awesome right?

Well, it’s going to be a journey, because we want the best of the best to represent Louisiana. What does that mean?

First, you’ll submit your script, a minimum of 90 pages, but no more than 150 pages and our panel of judges will read it. If you’re one of the lucky 10 to make the cut, you’re next challenge will be to pitch your story to our judges, just like you would to any Agent or Manager (we’re not just trying to give you a hard time, we want you to hone your skills and get ready for the real deal.) Our judges will choose 3 Grand Prize winners who will be selected to go to Los Angeles.

Now, you’re maybe asking, what if I have a short? Well, you’re in luck. Shorts (maximum 30 pages) can be submitted!

What happens if you’re chosen?

Well, it’s a number of things

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You'll first receive mentorship to get that script & story into tip-top shape.

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You'll get a free flight and lodging to Los Angeles with your fellow Grand Prize Winners.

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You'll get the opportunity to pitch your script & project through a series of meetings with Agents & Managers.

bckstry.org’s goal is to support Louisiana creatives through mentorship and opportunities, so you can grow your career.

Ready to get started?

TIMELINE

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SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT

Along with your application, you will be required to submit a full length script. Feature length scripts must be a minimum of 90 pages. Anything over 150 pages will not be accepted. Shorts can be submitted but must be a maximum of 30 pages. Your script can be of any genre.

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EARLY BIRD DEADLINE - JULY 7th

Early bird deadline cost: $40

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REGULAR DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 8TH

Regular deadline cost: $55

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EXTENDED DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 23RD

Late deadline cost: $70

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10 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED - SEPTEMBER 25TH

10 finalists will move on to the next stage of the competition. Finalists have to prepare their pitch.

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TIME TO PITCH - SEPTEMBER 30TH

Finalists will pitch their script to a panel of judges one by one behind closed doors beginning at 8 AM.

FROM LA TO L.A. ON OCTOBER 11TH - 15TH!

MORE AGENTS & MANAGERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Dave Rath | GENERATE MANAGEMENT

Dave Rath is a Founding Partner of Generate. For over twenty years, he has represented high profile comedians, writers and actors who have influenced popular culture and pushed the boundaries of comedy. He has produced comedy cult hits such as WonderShowzen (MTV,) The Andy Milonakis Show (MTV) and The Comedians of Comedy (Comedy Central). Dave was a Producer on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC,) The Benson Interruption (Comedy Central,) Enjoy it! With Brody Stevens (Comedy Central,) and The Pete Holmes show (TBS.) He is a creative partner for his clients and widely recognized as an industry trailblazer in leveraging alternative distribution avenues to develop and showcase talent.

Ford Gilmore | ILLUMINATI ENT.

Illuminati founder Ford Lytle Gilmore is a producer and the former Vice President of Development at Goodman/Rosen Productions , where he worked on licensed properties, including video game franchises “Crazy Taxi” and “Perfect Dark.” Illuminati Entertainment is an innovative management and production company focusing on clients with backgrounds in comic books and video games. Illuminati’s concentration is not only on creator-owned material, but also on building new brands and franchises that can crossover into ancillary markets. As such, there are a myriad of things we develop in house with our clients, and a number of outside projects we have optioned and/or produced.

Scott Stoops | MANAGER

Scott Stoops, previously of Paradigm and Benderspink, is a Manager. In 2013, he wooed Aspen Publisher, where the company feted the 15th anniversary of its popular Fathom series, about a young woman who discovers she belongs to an ancient aquatic race that can control water. That comic was optioned by Fox Atomic a few years back with Megan Fox attached to star, but with rights having reverted to Aspen, it’s one of the powerhouse properties in the publisher’s arsenal.

Early Bird Submission

$40

Regular Submission

$55

EXTENDED DEADLINE

$70

What Kinds of Scripts Can Enter?

All feature scripts are welcome to enter. We are looking for: comedies, horrors, dramas, dramedies, sci fi, thrillers, actions, westerns, high-concept and anything in between. All genres are welcome.

Shorts are welcomed (maximum 30 pages.)

No TV pilots will be accepted.

All writers submitting a script between 120-150 pages must pay an additional $15. No scripts over 150 pages will be accepted.

ENTRANT RULES

Void where prohibited by law.

Adults, 18 & over, only can enter.

Entrant agrees to bckstry.org terms and conditions.

Entrants must be a resident of LOUISIANA.

The bckstry’s Feature Screenwriter Contest is not a game of chance. All material is read and reviewed by industry professionals.

All finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

10 ENTRANTS WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE PITCH PORTION OF THE CONTEST.

ALL 10 FINALISTS CAN PRESENT IN PERSON OR SEND TAPED PITCHES.

3 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED BASED ON PITCH PERFORMANCE.

Entrant must not have received compensation totaling over $25,000 USD for television or motion picture writing, options or sales.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

Entrant must not be an immediate family member of any of the judges.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

screenplay rules

Screenplays should be written in English and in standard industry format.

Screenplay must be the original work of the Entrant and may not be based whole or in part on any fictional or non-fictional material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced for which the Entrant does not have rights.

The rights to the Entrant’s screenplay should not have been previously optioned or sold.

Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced or have won any contests.

After a screenplay is entered, no new drafts or corrected pages can be made by the Entrant. No exceptions.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME OR CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE TITLE PAGE. TITLE PAGE SHOULD ONLY CONTAIN THE TITLE OF YOUR SCRIPT..

FAILURE TO SUBMIT WITH A CLEAN TITLE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION..

Judging Criteria

Our readers grade each script on ten different categories. These categories include premise, execution of premise, formatting/spelling/grammar, character creation and arcs, dialogue, pacing, style/tone, theme, commercial appeal and the overall “It” factor.

TRAVEL

Grand prize winners’s flight and lodging are accodmodated by the LA to L.A. contest. No participant will receive cash value for flight tickets if they do not depart with the group. Participant is responsible for baggage fees. No participant will receive cash value for hotel or lodging if they choose to not stay in the housing or lodging predetermined by the organizers.

RIGHTS

Entrant retains all rights to their project. Contest is designed to provide the pitch experience and opportunity. Agents, Producers and Managers will request your script if they so desire.